Job Report in Canada, February 2019 – Employment grew for a second consecutive month, up 56,000

Employment grew for a second consecutive month, up 56,000 in February, driven by gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8% as the number of people searching for work held steady.

In the 12 months to February, total employment grew by 369,000 or 2.0%, reflecting increases in both full- (+266,000) and part-time (+103,000) work. Over the same period, total hours worked were virtually unchanged.

Notable employment increase in Ontario

Employment in Ontario rose for the second consecutive month, up 37,000 in February, boosted by gains in full-time work (+59,000). The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.7% as more people participated in the labour market. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province increased by 2.7% or 192,000.

In Manitoba, employment declined by 3,300 in February. The unemployment rate was little changed at 5.3% as fewer people were participating in the labour market. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in the province rose by 1.9% or 12,000.

Employment edged up in Quebec in February, continuing the upward trend that began in the autumn of 2018. The unemployment rate was little changed at 5.3%. In the 12 months to February, employment in the province increased by 1.3% or 55,000.

In Alberta, employment was virtually unchanged from the previous month and on a year-over-year basis. The number of people searching for work increased in February, pushing the unemployment rate up 0.5 percentage points to 7.3%.